For the fourth quarter, Univar reported net income of $27.0 million, or $0.19 per share, compared to a net loss of $59.2 million, or ($0.43) per share in the prior year fourth quarter. Earnings per share was adversely impacted by a $36.6 million, or ($0.26) per share charge, related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017.

Adjusted earnings per share for the fourth quarter increased 36.0 percent to $0.34 per share from $0.25 per share in the prior year fourth quarter, driven by higher average selling prices, improved sales force execution, and mix enrichment. Adjusted EBITDA grew 10.4 percent to $148.5 million from $134.5 million in the fourth quarter of last year as a result of higher gross profit and operating expense productivity gains that funded investments in people and digital technologies.

For the full year, Univar reported net income of $119.8 million, or $0.85 per share, compared to a net loss of $68.4 million, or ($0.50) per share in the prior year.

Adjusted earnings per share for the full year increased 35.0 percent to $1.39 per share from $1.03 per share in the prior year. Gross margin expanded 50 basis points to 21.9 percent as a result of the Company's initiatives to improve sales force execution, capture higher value business opportunities, and higher average selling prices. Adjusted EBITDA grew 7.3 percent to $603.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 30 basis points to 7.3 percent.

Successfully realigned its USA commercial organization and supply chain to better meet the needs of customers and supplier partners

Advanced its digitization initiatives with the launch of MyUnivar.com

Strengthened its management team and unveiled its CEO succession plan

"2017 was a pivotal year as we significantly advanced our transformation. We considerably improved our execution and returned Univar to growth, increasing our momentum with each quarter of the year," said Steve Newlin, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our strategic initiatives of Commercial Greatness, Operational Excellence and One Univar are strengthening our organization, and I am confident that David Jukes is the best leader to advance Univar's transformation to achieve our 2019 and 2021 growth targets."

Addressing the Company's results, Univar executive vice president and chief financial officer, Carl Lukach said, "We exited 2017 with higher profitability, solid cash flow, and a much stronger balance sheet. This enables us to deploy capital to targeted growth investments in our people, operations and technology, while continuing to reduce our leverage and earn a superior return on capital for our shareholders."

Company Performance

The results of Univar's operating performance are described below and, unless otherwise indicated, are a comparison of fourth quarter 2017 results with fourth quarter 2016 results, including Adjusted EBITDA, which is reconciled to reported net income in the accompanying supplemental financial information.

Univar Inc.

Adjusted EBITDA

(Unaudited)

Three months endedDecember 31,

(in millions)

2017

2016

$ change

% change

% changeexcl.currency

External Net Sales

USA

$

1,130.1

$

1,084.3

$

45.8

4.2

%

4.2

%

Canada

271.9

242.1

29.8

12.3

%

5.8

%

EMEA

460.9

394.4

66.5

16.9

%

7.8

%

Rest of World

96.3

91.7

4.6

5.0

%

0.5

%

Total Consolidated Net Sales

$

1,959.2

$

1,812.5

$

146.7

8.1

%

5.0

%

Gross Profit

USA

$

260.2

$

246.1

$

14.1

5.7

%

5.7

%

Canada

58.1

55.1

3.0

5.4

%

0.4

%

EMEA

104.6

92.0

12.6

13.7

%

4.7

%

Rest of World

22.0

20.1

1.9

9.5

%

6.0

%

Total Consolidated Gross Profit

$

444.9

$

413.3

$

31.6

7.6

%

4.8

%

Adjusted EBITDA

USA

$

86.7

$

78.3

$

8.4

10.7

%

10.7

%

Canada

28.1

24.8

3.3

13.3

%

7.7

%

EMEA

32.7

28.9

3.8

13.1

%

1.4

%

Rest of World

7.8

7.8

—

—

%

(2.6)

%

Other*

(6.8)

(5.3)

(1.5)

(28.3)

%

(28.3)

%

Total Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

$

148.5

$

134.5

$

14.0

10.4

%

6.7

%

* Other represents unallocated corporate costs that do not directly benefit segments.

EMEA – Adjusted EBITDA increased 13.1 percent to $32.7 million due to improvements in sales force execution, growth in Focused Industries and Industrial Specialties, higher average selling prices, as well as a stronger Euro. Operating expenses declined 40 basis points as a percentage of sales due to strong expense management. Gross margin decreased 60 basis points to 22.7 percent, largely due to a slight change in product and market mix compared to the prior year.

Rest of World – Adjusted EBITDA of $7.8 million was equal to last year as growth in Brazil and increased profitability in Asia Pacific was offset by softness in Mexico. Higher average selling prices and mix improvement were offset by lower volume, which was the result of continued shortages of certain products in Latin America and softness in local economic conditions. Gross margin increased 90 basis points to 22.8 percent. Supply and demand conditions continued to stabilize, and the Company expects business conditions to normalize in the first half of 2018.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

As required, beginning with its first quarter 2018 earnings release, Univar will adopt the FASB retirement benefits pronouncement. Under this new standard, the Company will continue to report the service component of pension and other postretirement benefit cost in its operating costs. The non-service components of pension and other postretirement benefit cost will be reported below operating income. Univar will apply the new pronouncement retrospectively, and restate its 2016 and 2017 financial statements. Adoption and restatement of the retirement benefits pronouncement will not impact net income, but will retrospectively reduce Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $10 million in 2017 and $15 million in 2016.

Also as required, Univar's 2018 financial statements will reflect the Company's adoption of the FASB revenue recognition standard. This new standard redefines when and how revenue is recognized from our contracts with customers. While Univar's 2018 financial statements will be prepared under the new standard, the net impact on prior years will be recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings, reflecting the Company's election of the modified retrospective approach. The Company anticipates this adjustment to not be material and will include additional disclosures under the new standard in its future reporting.

Outlook

In 2018, Univar expects to capitalize on the positive growth momentum it created in 2017 and further advance its key initiatives of Commercial Greatness, Operational Excellence and One Univar, towards achievement of its 2019 and 2021 financial targets. For the full year 2018, the Company expects mid-single digit revenue growth reflecting improvements in sales force execution, higher win/loss ratios, and new supplier authorizations. The Company also expects to continue delivering operating cost productivity gains that will help fund targeted investments in digital technologies and in its sales force. As a result, the Company expects to deliver low double digit percent growth in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted earnings per share between $1.60 and $1.80 for the full year. For the first quarter of 2018, the Company expects Adjusted EBITDA growth of around 10 percent.

Univar to Host Webcast on Feb. 28 at 9:00 a.m. ET

The Company will host a webcast with investors to discuss the fourth-quarter results at 9:00 a.m. ET on Feb. 28, which can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of its website at http://investor.univar.com. Following the event, an archived version of the webcast and supporting materials will be available on the same website.

The Company monitors the results of its operating segments separately for the purposes of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. The Company evaluates performance on the basis of Adjusted EBITDA, which it defines as its consolidated net income (loss), plus the sum of interest expense, net of interest income, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation, amortization, other operating expenses, net (which primarily consists of pension mark to market adjustments, acquisition and integration related expenses, employee stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, business optimization, and other unusual or non-recurring expenses), impairment charges, loss on extinguishment of debt and other income (expense), net (which consists of gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and undesignated derivative instruments, debt refinancing costs, and other non-operating activity). Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of operating performance because:

The Company reports Adjusted EBITDA to its lenders as required under the covenants of its credit agreements;

Adjusted EBITDA excludes the effects of income taxes, as well as the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest, depreciation and amortization expenses;

The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA in setting performance incentive targets;

The Company considers gains (losses) on the acquisition, disposal and impairment of assets as resulting from investing decisions rather than ongoing operations; and

Other significant items, while periodically affecting the Company's results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects comparability of its results.

The Company has incorporated an Adjusted net income and Adjusted earnings per share metric as a complementary metric to GAAP earnings per share to provide additional transparency to ongoing performance. Adjusted net income excludes the same items as Adjusted EBITDA, except for stock-based compensation expense.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company's management believes that certain financial measures that do not comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") provide relevant and meaningful information concerning the ongoing operating results of the Company. Such non-GAAP financial measures are used from time to time herein but should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP measures of performance. Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP are provided in Schedules B and E.

About Univar

Founded in 1924, Univar (NYSE: UNVR) is a global chemical and ingredients distributor and provider of value-added services, working with leading suppliers worldwide. Supported by a comprehensive team of sales and technical professionals with deep specialty and market expertise, Univar operates hundreds of distribution facilities throughout North America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Univar delivers tailored customer solutions through a broad product and services portfolio sustained by one of the most extensive industry distribution networks in the world. For more information, visit www.univar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations, and predictions for the future which are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek," "comfortable with," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

Univar Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

Three months endedDecember 31,

Year ended December 31,

(in millions, except per share data)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net sales

$

1,959.2

$

1,812.5

$

8,253.7

$

8,073.7

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation)

1,514.3

1,399.2

6,448.2

6,346.6

Gross profit

$

444.9

$

413.3

$

1,805.5

$

1,727.1

Operating expenses:

Outbound freight and handling

74.3

65.8

292.0

286.6

Warehousing, selling and administrative

222.1

213.0

909.8

877.8

Other operating expenses, net

(6.3)

75.4

49.5

104.5

Depreciation

32.5

38.4

135.0

152.3

Amortization

15.4

17.8

65.4

85.6

Impairment charges

—

—

—

133.9

Total operating expenses

$

338.0

$

410.4

$

1,451.7

$

1,640.7

Operating income

$

106.9

$

2.9

$

353.8

$

86.4

Other (expense) income:

Interest income

1.4

0.9

4.0

3.9

Interest expense

(39.4)

(40.3)

(152.0)

(163.8)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

(3.0)

—

(3.8)

—

Other (expense) income, net

(5.3)

4.7

(33.2)

(6.1)

Total other expense

$

(46.3)

$

(34.7)

$

(185.0)

$

(166.0)

Income (loss) before income taxes

60.6

(31.8)

168.8

(79.6)

Income tax expense (benefit)

33.6

27.4

49.0

(11.2)

Net income (loss)

$

27.0

$

(59.2)

$

119.8

$

(68.4)

Income (loss) per common share:

Basic

$

0.19

$

(0.43)

$

0.85

$

(0.50)

Diluted

0.19

(0.43)

0.85

(0.50)

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

140.7

138.1

140.2

137.8

Diluted

141.8

138.1

141.4

137.8

Univar Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share data)

December 31,2017

December 31,2016

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

467.0

$

336.4

Trade accounts receivable, net

1,062.4

950.3

Inventories

839.5

756.6

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

149.6

134.8

Total current assets

$

2,518.5

$

2,178.1

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,003.0

1,019.5

Goodwill

1,818.4

1,784.4

Intangible assets, net

287.7

339.2

Deferred tax assets

22.8

18.2

Other assets

82.3

50.5

Total assets

$

5,732.7

$

5,389.9

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

Current liabilities:

Short-term financing

$

13.4

$

25.3

Trade accounts payable

941.7

852.3

Current portion of long-term debt

62.0

109.0

Accrued compensation

100.7

65.6

Other accrued expenses

301.6

287.3

Total current liabilities

$

1,419.4

$

1,339.5

Long-term debt

2,820.0

2,845.0

Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities

257.1

268.6

Deferred tax liabilities

35.4

17.2

Other long-term liabilities

110.7

109.7

Total liabilities

$

4,642.6

$

4,580.0

Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock, 200.0 million shares authorized at $0.01 par value with no shares issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016

—

—

Common stock, 2.0 billion shares authorized at $0.01 par value with 141.1 million and 138.8 million shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

1.4

1.4

Additional paid-in capital

2,301.3

2,251.8

Accumulated deficit

(934.1)

(1,053.4)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(278.5)

(389.9)

Total stockholders' equity

$

1,090.1

$

809.9

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

5,732.7

$

5,389.9

Univar Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

Three months endedDecember 31,

Year ended December 31,

(in millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$

27.0

$

(59.2)

$

119.8

$

(68.4)

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

47.9

56.2

200.4

237.9

Impairment charges

—

—

—

133.9

Amortization of deferred financing fees and debt discount

2.0

1.9

7.9

7.9

Amortization of pension credit from accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes reconciles to the amount reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for each respective period. Tax on reconciling items is calculated using the effective tax rate adjusted for discrete and similar tax items.

(4)

Immaterial differences may exist in summation of per share amounts due to rounding.

(5)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated using net income (loss) or adjusted net income (loss) available to common shareholders divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding during each period, which includes unvested restricted shares. Diluted earnings per share considers the impact of potential dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a loss because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an anti-dilutive effect.